Halyard Health to develop ventilator manufacturing enhancements

Halyard Health Inc. has been awarded a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) that would facilitate the development of manufacturing enhancements for ventilator production.

A statement released by the company on Dec. 10 indicates that, in a pandemic situation, the manufacturing capabilities of medical ventilators would not be able to meet demand. The statement also reports that due to durability factors, N95 filtering face-piece respirators (FFR) are able to be stockpiled like other medical supplies.

This contract was awarded under a broad agency announcement that sought the development of certain manufacturing and developmental capabilities relating to influenza. These included respirators, masks, influenza therapeutics, vaccine candidates and clinical testing equipment.

The contract is valued at approximately $5 million and will last over a period of two years. FFR are an important component for preventing the spread of airborne disease among health care workers and the public.

Lee Burns, vice president of research and development, explained that their methods to manufacture supplies would utilize stockpiled materials and that a contract of this kind indicates that government agencies consider respirator manufacturing development an area in need of service.

Burnes anticipates that, if expectations are met, their developments would be able to serve preparedness efforts in a manageable way.